The Government announced today (November 22) that persons aged 12 to 17 will be accorded priority to make reservations for and receive a Sinovac vaccination starting from December 2.

     Starting from 9am on December 2, they can make reservations for vaccination at the Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) or Ma On Shan Family Medicine Centre and Tin Shui Wai (Tin Yip Road) Community Health Centre of the Hospital Authority through the designated website of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).

     Apart from the existing service network, five Student Health Service Centres (SHSCs) of the Department of Health, namely Chai Wan SHSC, Lam Tin SHSC, Sha Tin SHSC, Tuen Mun SHSC and Western SHSC, will provide from the same day the Sinovac vaccine to students aged 12 to 17 as well as health information to parents and students from 9am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays). Starting from November 26, parents can call the Student Health Service at 2856 9133 during service hours (from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays) for appointment booking. 

     Moreover, they can also make appointments for a Sinovac vaccination through private doctors or clinics enrolled in the Vaccination Programme. The list of private doctors/clinics is available at the designated website of the Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/VSS). 

     The CVCs will operate from 10am to 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and from 8am to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays. All CVCs will close between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on working days for cleaning. The CVCs will be closed on Wednesdays. Eligible persons can collect same-day tickets and get vaccinated at the CVCs (except those located at a private hospital). The tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

     The Government attaches great importance to the vaccination of teenagers and students. The Government will provide them with special channels to get vaccinated, including providing special appointments for schools at CVCs and transport from and to schools. The Education Bureau will issue a letter to inform schools of the arrangements this week.

     The spokesman stressed that under the threat posed by mutant strains with high transmissibility, persons who are eligible for vaccination, including teenagers, should get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves. Both COVID-19 vaccines available in Hong Kong are highly effective and safe in protecting against severe disease and death from COVID-19 infection. 

     Persons aged 12 to 17 are required to bring along a consent form signed by their parents for getting their vaccinations. The consent form can be downloaded from the designated website of the Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/pdf/Consent_Form_for_COVID19_Vaccination_ENG.pdf).

     The Fosun/BioNTech vaccine is already suitable for persons aged 12 or above. Before making an appointment, members of the public should take note of a minimum interval of 14 days between a COVID-19 vaccination and any other vaccinations (including the seasonal flu vaccine).

Ends/Monday, November 22, 2021
Issued at HKT 16:18

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